Three from Dunsterville
The story revolves around Mary, who has moved from Dunsterville to New York and is working as a secretary for Joe. She is befriended by Eddy, an old acquaintance from her hometown, who tries to win her favor. However, it becomes clear that Eddy's intentions are not entirely pure, as he asks Mary to mail him a copy of a letter that Joe will be writing to another man, Weston. Joe reveals that he has been aware of Eddy's attempts to get early information on the market and has been trying to keep him at bay. He also confesses his own feelings for Mary, which have remained unchanged since their days in Dunsterville. Mary is taken aback by Joe's confession and seems to be considering her feelings for him. The story takes a humorous turn when Eddy suddenly leaves the table without paying for his lunch, leaving Joe to foot the bill. The waiter comments on the situation, saying "Ze pill, sare," which Joe interprets as Eddy having left him to pay for his lunch. Overall, the story is a lighthearted and humorous tale of love, friendship, and deception in the city of New York.
By P. G. Wodehouse · First published 1929 · Genre: Comedy, Fiction, Humor · 6,605 words
First lines
Once upon a time there was erected in Longacre Square, New York, a large white statue, labelled "Our City," the figure of a woman in Grecian robes holding aloft a shield. Critical citizens objected to it for various reasons, but its real fault was that its symbolism was faulty. The sculptor should have represented New York as a conjuror in evening dress, smiling blandly as he changed a rabbit into a bowl of goldfish. For that, above all else, is New York's speciality. It changes.
What this Textopian page supports
Three from Dunsterville is listed on Textopian as a short story by P. G. Wodehouse, dated 1929 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: P. G. Wodehouse
- Date: 1929 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Comedy, Fiction, Humor
- Length: 6,605 words
- Structure: 1 section, 169 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Three from Dunsterville by P. G. Wodehouse
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Three from Dunsterville?
- How does this short story by P. G. Wodehouse fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Comedy first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- The Man The Maid And The Miasma by P. G. Wodehouse
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- The Man Upstairs by P. G. Wodehouse
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Genres
- Comedy — P. G. Wodehouse's works, including 'Three from Dunsterville', are best known for their humorous and satirical tone.
- Fiction — 'Three from Dunsterville' is a work of fiction, as it involves invented characters and events.
- Humor — The book's light-hearted and humorous style, a characteristic of Wodehouse's writing, classifies it under the genre of Humor.
Tags
humor · comedy · short stories · British literature · satire · social class · upper class · romance · friendship · adventure · witty dialogue · lighthearted